During the third annual “AT&T 28 Days Speaker Series,” Grammy-winning rapper Common electrified the audience at Atlanta Symphony Hall with inspiring tales of contemporary African American history makers and barrier breakers, giving attendees ways that they, too, can become leaders.
Common, the musical poet who is also an actor and ardent activist, is collaborating with the telecom titan on a riveting nationwide speaker series designed to inspire and invigorate audiences and create a radical paradigm shift in urban America. On Feb. 7, high-tech master Mario Armstrong awed audiences in Atlanta, the first stop of a five-city tour. He regaled the rapt listeners with tales of his own journey from tragedy to triumph, imbued them with a ‘can-do’ mentality, and shared practical tips to help them achieve their dreams.
“This year, AT&T wants consumers to look at today’s history makers and innovators who are changing the world we live in and truly speak to the core of ‘Rethink Possible,'” said Jennifer Jones, vice president of Diverse Markets, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We are committed to pushing the limits of what’s achievable everyday through innovation and investments in programs that educate and empower our diverse consumers.” AT&T’s partnership with Common creates great synergy for the campaign because the transcendent hip-hop artist has always been viewed as the quintessential embodiment of intelligence, humanity, pride and, well, common sense. The beloved and universally-respected Common, whose portfolio of platinum and gold hits are mostly made up of upliftin
g lyrics and intelligence prose on American life, will also appear in his own stomping ground of Chicago on Thursday, Feb. 17, where he will receive prolific author, activist and former congressional candidate Kevin Powell.
Common and AT&T will venture to famed Howard University in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 22, where the guest speaker will be media veteran and social entrepreneur Tai Beauchamp. Common will facilitate for FUBU clothing founder Daymond John in Harlem on Thursday, Feb. 24. The “Speaker Series” will conclude with entrepreneur and motivational speaker Cookie Johnson, wife of NBA legend Magic Johnson, in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 28.
The event is a great “one-two punch” for AT&T: An uncommon man like Common reeling in the masses and the headlining speakers providing invaluable information. Together, they are stirring aspirations, changing lives and making an impact on communities. It is mutuality at its best. -– terry shropshire
